Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of boxes
- List of figures
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 A psychological framework for analysing risk
- 2 Hazard perception
- 3 Individual and group differences in risk perception
- 4 Decision-making about risks
- 5 Risk and emotion
- 6 Risk communication
- 7 Errors, accidents and emergencies
- 8 Risk and complex organisations
- 9 Social amplification and social representations of risk
- 10 Changing risk responses
- References
- Index
3 - Individual and group differences in risk perception
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 December 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of boxes
- List of figures
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 A psychological framework for analysing risk
- 2 Hazard perception
- 3 Individual and group differences in risk perception
- 4 Decision-making about risks
- 5 Risk and emotion
- 6 Risk communication
- 7 Errors, accidents and emergencies
- 8 Risk and complex organisations
- 9 Social amplification and social representations of risk
- 10 Changing risk responses
- References
- Index
Summary
Chapter preview
Chapter 3 presents studies that explore the factors that predict variation in risk perception. Among the individual difference factors examined are personality, cognitive style, beliefs and experience. From the studies examined, it is concluded that risk-taking is better predicted than risk perception by personality differences. However, neuroticism-anxiety and impulsivity are related to risk perception. There is also evidence of a complex link between self-efficacy levels and locus of control orientation and perceived risk. The chapter also examines the relationship between the personal exposure to or experience of hazards and the perceived risk associated with them. The group factors that may influence risk perception that are reviewed in the chapter include nationality, socio-demographic characteristics (like gender or race) and belonging to an expert profession. The contribution of Cultural Theory to the understanding of hazard perceptions and judgements is also reviewed. Throughout, the chapter examines the methods of both data elicitation and data analysis that are used in the studies described and explains how in a variety of ways methods tend to determine the nature of the results that are reported.
The need for methodological rigour
When examining the conclusions drawn from studies of individual and group differences in risk perception, it is important always to evaluate the quality of the data provided. This means it is necessary to look at the samples chosen, the methods employed to collect information and the forms of analysis undertaken.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Psychology of Risk , pp. 44 - 77Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2007